Label dispenser



May 11%? H. w. MARANO 3,32LW5 LABEL DISPENSER Filed Feb. 4, 1964 sSheets-Sheet i INVENTOR. 1 AQ-wzaw TM MAW/4M0 ATTORNE Y5 y 1967 H. W.MAR/m0 3,321,105

LABEL DISPENSER Filed Feb. 4, 1964 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.///e5,e7-MM4zm/o XVMW QLLM ATTORNEY 69 in? 3 750 .1... y I 5 {11 11.

y 23, 1967 I H. W. MARANO 3,321,105

LABEL DISPENSER Filed Feb. 4, 1964 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. Aka/awe?"M ww'wa ATTORNE Y United States Patent 3,321,105 LABEL DISPENSER HerbertW. Marano, Summit, N.J., assignor to Flinchbaugh Products, Inc., RedLion, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Filed Feb. 4, 1964, Ser. No.342,349 Claims. (Cl. 221-22) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A dispenser fortape-carried separable labels in which the tape is advanced about theleading sharp separating edge of a swingable applicator arm to separatesuccessive leading labels and advance them forwardly of the separatingedge. A rotatable sensing roll is positioned forwardly and directlybelow the separating edge and is engaged by the pressure sensitiveunderface of the separated leading label to rotate the roller which inturn actnates an associated switch for interrupting the advance of thetape with the leading label in a position for application to anunderlying advancing package.

The present invention relates generally to improvements in labelapplying devices, and it relates in particular to an improved device forcontrollably feeding successive pressure-sensitive labels carried on asupport band attendant the application of the labels to successiveobjects.

It is a common practice to package pressure-sensitive labels byseparably adhering them in spaced end-to-end fashion onto a carrier bandor tape which is Wound into a roll. The successive labels are frequentlydispensed by advancing the label-carrying tape around a separating edgewhereby to change sharply the direction of travel of the tape thereby toeffect the separation of the relatively stiff label from the tape. It isgenerally desirable to advance the tape to a position with the leadingtape-supported label projecting forwardly of the separating edge tofacilitate the removal thereof or its automatic application to anobject. In order to locate the leading label accurately it is necessaryto sense the position of the label relative to the separating edge. Thearrangements heretofore em- .ployed or proposed are of two broad typesand possess themselves are sensed, the sensing mechanism is usuallyhighly sensitive and subject to malfunctioning and otherwise leaves muchto be desired.

It is thus a principal object of the present invention to provide animproved labeling device.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved devicefor dispensing pressure-sensitive labels .from a tape carrying theselabels in spaced end-to-end relationship.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an improvedmechanism for controlling the advance of a pressure-sensitivelabel-carrying tape around a separating edge whereby to position theleading label in a position projecting forwardly of the separating edge.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an improvedmechanism for sensing the presence of an unsupported section of anadvancing pressure-sensitive label carried on a support tape.

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A still further object of the present invention is to provide a deviceof the above nature characterized by its versatility, ruggedness,accuracy and reliability.

The above, other and further objects of the present invention willbecome apparent from a reading of the following description, taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawing, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a front diagrammatical elevational view of an apparatusembodying the present invention, the label-sensing mechanism being shownin an actuated position;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary view of FIGURE 1 illustrating the sensingmechanism in a de-activated position;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary top plan view of the labelsensing separatingand applying head constructed according to the present invention, asviewed along line 3-3 in FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4-4 in FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5-5 in FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary view of FIGURE 5, differing therefrom in thatthe label sensing mechanism is in a de-activated condition; and

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 77 inFIGURE 3.

In one aspect thereof, the present invention contemplates the provisionof an apparatus for applying pressuresensitive labels from a bandcarrying said labels comprising a guide arm having a transverselyextending leading separating edge, intermittently motivated means forlongitudinally advancing a label-carrying band in a predetermined pathalong said arm and around said separating edge, means including a switchfor controlling said bandadvancing means, and a switch-motivatinglabel-sensing element disposed proximate to and forwardly of saidleading separating edge.

In accordance with the preferred form of the present device, there isprovided a forwardly downwardly inclined guide arm swingably mounted asits trailing end and beveled at its leading end to define a separatingedge. A bracket member is swingably mounted on the guide arm rearwardlyof the separating edge and supports a transversely extending sensingroller which is movable with the bracket between an active position andan inactive position, the roller being disposed shortly forward of theseparating edge with its axis below the level of the separating edgewhen in active position. Formed in the roller member are axially spacedperipheral grooves which divide the roller member into successive rollerelements, and separating fingers register with each of the grooves andterminate at points below the upper peripheries of the roller elements.A switch is carried by the arm and includes an actuating element, and anactuating arm is atfixed to and rotatable with the sensing roller memberand engages the switch actuating element whereby, upon rotation of thesensing roller, the switch is actuated.

A guide plate is also carried by the bracket and is movable therewith,the guide plate, when the bracket is in its active position, beingdisposed shortly above the guide arm and extends beyond the separatingedge across the upper periphery of the sensing roller and delineates apassageway for the label-carrying tape with the upper surface of theguide arm. Projecting forwardly of the bracket is a pair of swingablearms which arms support between their ends a label-applying pressureroller dis posed a short distance forward of the sensing roller.

Referring now to the drawings forming a part hereof, which illustrate apreferred embodiment of the present invention, reference numeral 10generally designates .the improved label feeding and applying device,which includes a transversely extending suitably journallel shaft 11 towhich is affixed, for rocking action therewith, a downwardly forwardlyinclined longitudinally extending guide arm 12. Guide arm 12 has flattop and bottom faces and terminates at its leading free end in atransversely extending sharply bevelled edge 13 which defines a labelseparating edge. Arm 12 is directed toward a longitudinally extendinghorizontal guide plate 114 along which a plurality of regularly spacedadvancing flights 16 travel for conveying successive packages P alongguide plate 14. Projecting perpendicularly from the hinged end of guidearm 12 is an upwardly directed arm 17 which is connected, by way of atension spring 18, to a fixed pin resiliently to swing arm 12 clockwise,as viewed in FIG- URE 1 of the drawing. A stop member 19, preferablyadjustable, is disposed in the path of arm 17 to limit the downwardmovement of guide arm 12 to any desirable lowermost level, which shouldbe above the level of flights 16.

A roll R of tape T, which supports regularly longitudinally spacedpressure-sensitive labels L in a well known manner, is rotatablysupported in any suitable fashion above the level of guide arm 12. Thelabel bearing tape T is drawn from the roll R with the labels Lundermost and is led around upper and lower guide rollers 20 and 21,guide roller 21 being closely adjacent the rear end of guide arm 12, anddirecting tape T along the upper face of arm 12 with labels L uppermost.Located below guide arm 12 and rearwardly of separating edge 13 is apair of transversely extending cooperating squeeze rollers 22 and 23,respectively, which are resiliently urged toward each other. Guideroller 23 is connected through any suitable electrically-actuated clutchand brake coupling device 24 to the output of a gear reduction unit 26,the input of which is connected to an electric drive motor M. The outputof gear reduction unit 26 is also coupled to a pulley 27 which isconnected by way of any suitable slipping belt arrangement 28 to arotatable pulley 29, which is provided with a coaxial spindle 30.

A tape take-up roll 32 is carried by spindle 30. The tape T travelsrearwardly from parting edge 13 over roller 23 through the bite betweenrollers 22 and 23 about the bottom periphery of roller 22 and thence totake-up roll 32. It should be noted that a continuous take-up tension isapplied to tape T between take-up roll 32 and roller 22 and that thetape is advanced around parting edge 13 only when roller 23 is coupledthrough clutch 24 to motor M, and when clutch 24 is in its disengagedposition the advance of tape T is discontinued.

A pair of transversely-spaced upright journal plates 33 is mounted alongthe side edges of guide arm 12 a short distance rearwardly of theseparating edge 13 thereof, plates 33 having bottom flanges 34 which aresecured to the underface of arm 12. The rear upper edges of plates 33are provided with inwardly directed lips 36, and a resilient catch plate37 is supported by and between lips 36 and projects forwardly thereofand terminates in transversely spaced latching edges. The leading edges35 of plates 33 are upwardly forwardly inclined to acute corners and arod or axle 39 is provided with end stubsections 38 which register withcorresponding transversely aligned openings in the upper forward cornersof plates 33 and are suitably locked in engagement with said openings.

A bracket member 40 is swingably supported by axle 3'9 and includes apair of transversely-spaced substantially triangular bracket plates 41which abut the inner faces of plates 33, the upper corners of plates 41having openings therein which engage the shaft stub sections 38 adja.

'cent the shoulders delineated by stub sections 38 and the main sectionof shaft 39. Directed inwardly from the bottom edges of bracket plates41 are longitudinally extending forward flanges 42. Depending frombracket 40 is a second bracket 43 which includes a pair of laterallyspaced bracket plates 44 projecting forwardly of bracket plates 41 andis provided along its rear upper edges with inwardly directedlongitudinally extending flanges 46 abutting and underlying flanges 42.A cross plate 47 extends between the confronting upper faces of bracketplates 44 and abuts the underfaces of flanges 46, plate 47 and flanges42 and 46 being locked in secure assembly by suitable rivets or thelike.

The trailing end 48 of plate 47 is upwardly rearwardly inclined and aguide plate 49 is disposed along the underface of plate 47 and isaifixed at its trailing end to the inclined section 48 of plate 47.Guide plate 49 projects forwardly of the leading end of plate 47 andterminates in a downwardly forwardly inclined lip 50. It should be notedthat bracket 40 is swinga-ble between an active position as illustratedin the drawings, in which position guide plate 49 is disposed a shortdistance above the upper face of guide arm 12 and is parallel thereto todelineate a low passageway which accommodates and guides label-carryingtape T to separating edge 13. Bracket plates 41 are provided at theirupper corners with rearwardly directed latching edges 51 which engagethe leading edge of latch plate 37 when bracket 40 is in its activeposition, thereby releasably locking bracket 40 in such position. Byraising the free end of latching plate 37 to a point disengaginglatching edges 51, bracket 40 is rotatable clockwise, as viewed inFIGURE 5 of the drawings, to an upright position to provide a free spaceand access to the upper leading face of guide arm 12.

Supported by and between the leading ends of bracket plates 44 is arotatable transversely-extending sensing roller 52 which has axiallyspaced peripheral grooves 53 formed therein which delineatecorrespondingly axially spaced sensing roller elements 54. Sensingroller 52 terminates at its ends in stub shafts 57 which are journalledin corresponding openings formed in bracket plates 44, stub shaft 57projecting considerably beyond the corresponding bracket plate 44. Itshould be noted that when bracket 40 is in its active position, theupper periphery of sensing roller 52, as defined by the upperperipheries of roller elements 54-, is disposed forward of theseparating edge 13 and directly below the leading section of guide plate49.

Supported by and between bracket plates 44 along the lower edges thereofis a longitudinally spaced pair of transversely extending front and rearsupport rods 58 and 59, respectively. A plurality of longitudinallyextending transversely spaced parting fingers 60 are carried by rods 58and 59 and have leading ends which register with alternate of thesensing roller grooves 53, projecting into these grooves from the bottomof sensing roller 52 and terminating at points below the upperperipheries of said roller 52. Fingers 60 are relatively flat and lie invertical planes and are provided with curved bottom edges; Spacersleeves 61 are carried by support rods '58 and 59 and are disposedbetween successive fingers 60 to locate them accurately relative tosensing roller grooves 53. Fingers 60 operate to assure the separationof labels L from sensing roller 52. It should be noted that the upperedges of fingers 60, when bracket 40 is in its active position, aredisposed below the underface of arm 12 and separating edge 13 todelineate therewith a return passageway for the stripped tape T, andthat fingers 60 are so disposed as to be freely swingable about theleading edge of guide arm 12 with the movement of bracket 40 to itsinactive position.

A pressure roller mounting bracket is swingably supported by bracket 40and includes a pair of transversely spaced forwardly directed arms 63journalled at their trailing ends to an axle rod 64 supported by andbetween the trailing lower corners of bracket plates 41. The forwardsections of arms 63 terminate in depending legs 65 which support betweentheir lower ends a transversely extending pressure roller 66'. When arms63 are in their depressed position as limited by flanges 42, the bottomperiphery is slightly below the upper periphery of sensing roller 52. Arod 67 extends between the forward upper corners of arms 63 and isconnected by a helical tension spring 68 to the trailing end of plate 48resiliently to urge arms 63 and pressure roller 66 to their depressedpositions.

Mounted on the outer face of plate 33 is a normally open micro switch 69provided at its leading lower corner with a downwardly biased dependingactuating plunger 70, the raising of which effects the closing of switch69. Afiixed to the underface of the casing of switch 69 is a bracket 71which swingably supports a forwardly directed rocker arm 72 engaging theunderface of plunger 70. Also swingable with rocker arm 72 is aforwardly directed angulated arm 73 projecting through an opening in alip 74 depending from the free end of arm 72 whereby arms 7 3 and 72 areconcurrently swingable.

A lever 76 is provided at its leading end with a U- shaped bracket 77having openings in the legs thereof which engage the sensing roller stubshaft 57. A set screw 78 registers with an opening formed in the bridgesection 79 of bracket 77 and bears against stub shaft 57 releasably tolock bracket 77 in any selected angular position on stub shaft 57. Apair of nuts 80 engages set screw 78 along opposite faces of bracketbridge section 79 whereby to permit the releasable locking of set screw78. Projecting transversely from the trailing end of lever 76 is a lug81 which bears on the underface of arm 73. Bracket 77 and sensing roller52 are urged to a retracted clockwise position as viewed in FIGURES 5and 6 of the drawings by a tension spring 82 connecting set screw 78 toa pin 83 supported on the bracket plate 41. In the normal retractedposition of sensing roller 52 and lever 76, arm 73 is in its depressedposition and switch 69 open. Upon the counterclockwise rotation ofsensing roller 52, lever 76 and arm 73 are swung upwardly to actuateplunger 70 and close switch 69.

A normally open package sensing switch 84 is actuated by a sensing arm86 disposed in the path of packages P advanced along the conveyor guideplate 14. Switches 64 and 69 are connected to the sensing input of anysuitable control network 87, the output of which is connected to thecontrol terminal of clutch 24. Network 87 is so constructed in anysuitable manner that the momentary closing of switch 69, while switch 84is open, effects the de-energization of clutch 24 thereby to interruptthe drive of take-up roller 32 and the control network 87 energizesclutch 24 upon the opening of switch 84 and switch 69 being in an openposition.

Considering the operation of the apparatus described above, under normaloperating conditions, the label bearing tape T is guided by rollers 20and 21 onto the upper face of guide arm 12, along guide arm 12 aroundthe leading separating edge 13 and thence rearwardly at an angle toguide arm 12 over roller 23 and through the bite of rollers 22 and 23,along the bottom periphery of roller 22, and thence to take-up roll 32.Spindle 30, carrying roll 32, is under continuous tension by reason ofthe motor M, continuously driving pulley 27 which is in slippingcoupling engagement with pulley 29 connected to spindle 30.

As the apparatus awaits the advance of a package P on flight 16 alongguide plate 14, a leading label L has its trailing end adherent tosupport tape T just rearwardly of the separating edge 13, and has itsleading end underlying the pressure roller 66 with the pressuresensitive face of the label L being directed downwardly toward guideplate 14. As package P is advanced beneath the leading end of guide arm12, it engages the underface of fingers 44 to raise arm 12 against thebias of spring 18 on the further advance of package P. it engages thepressure sensitive face of leading label L which is thereupon pressedinto adhesive contact therewith by pressure roller 66. As package Pcontinues to advance along plate 14, it pulls the label L from tape T,label L having been urged by roller 66 into firm adhesion with package Pwhile arm 12 is in its raised packaged condition.

Attendant the registry of package P, switch 84 is actuated, and by wayof the circuit network 87 maintains clutch 24 deenergized, so that thereis no advance of the label bearing tape T. Upon advance of package P,both the package sensing arm 86 of switch 84 and switch 69 assume theirnorm-a1 open positions thereby effecting the energization of clutch 24by way of control network 87. Roller 23 is thus again driven positivelyto draw tape T along guide arm 12 and about separating edge 13. The nextsuccessive label L, as the underlying tape T rounds the separating edge13, separates from tape T and advances frowardly of separating edge 13into engagement with sensing roller 52, being maintained in substantialabutment therewith by guide plate 49. The pressure sensitive underfaceof label L engages sensing roller 52 and effects the rotation thereofagainst the urging of bias spring 82. With the rotation of the sensingroller 52, lever 76 is swung upwardly to swing the arms 72 and 73upwardly thereby actuating and closing switch 69.

With the closing of switch 69, clutch 24 is de-energized by means ofcontrol network 87 to stop the advance of tape T. It is to be noted thatlever 76 and rollers 52 and 66 are so proportioned and related thatswitch 69 is actuated when the leading section of the leading label Lunderlies pressure roller 66 and only the trailing section of the labelis adherent to tape T. With the advance of the next package P intoregistry with the overhanging label L, the above cycle is repeated.

While there has been described and illustrated a preferred embodiment ofthe present invention, it is apparent that numerous alterations,omissions, and additions may be made without departing from the spiritthereof.

Having now described the invention, What I claim and desire to secure byLetters Patent is:

1. An apparatus for dispensing pressure-sensitive labels from a bandcarrying said labels comprising a guide arm having a transverselyextending leading separating edge, intermittently motivated means forlongitudinally advancing a label carrying band in a predetermined pathalong said arm and around said separating edge to sepaseparating edge,means including a rotatable switch for controlling said band advancingmeans, and a switchmotivating label-sensing element disposed proximateto and forwardly of said leading separating edge for engaging a pressuresensitive surface of a leading label forward of said separating edge forrotation of said element with the advance of said leading label.

2. A label-dispensing device comprising a swingably supportedlongitudinally extending, downwardly forwardly inclined guide armterminating in a transversely extending relatively sharp separatingedge, means for advancing a pressure sensitive label-carrying tapeforwardly along the upper face of said guide arm, around said separatingedge and then rearwardly to separate a leading label and advance itforwardly of said separating edge, a transversely extending sensingroller rotatably supported by said guide arm forward of said separatingedge and including a plurality of transversely spaced coaxial rollerelements rotatable therewith and engageable by the pressure sensitivesurface of said tape carried leading label forward of said separatingedge to be rotated by the advance of said label, a relatively stationaryparting element supported on said guide arm and projecting between theforward peripheries of said roller elements and disposed below the upperperipheries thereof, a switch mounted on said guide arm, aswitch-actuating element affixed to said sensing roller and rotatabletherewith, and means responsive to said switch for motivating said tapeadvancing means.

3. A label-dispensing device comprising a swingably supported,longitudinally extending, downwardly forwardly inclined guide armterminating in a transversely extending relatively sharp separatingedge, means for advancing a pressure sensitive label-carrying tapeforwardly along the upper face of said arm, around said separating edgeand then rearwardly thereof to separate a leading label and advance itforwardly of said separating edge, a transversely extending sensingroller supported by said arm forward of said separating edge andengageable by the pressure sensitive surface of said tape carriedleading label forward of said separating edge to be rotated by theadvance of said label, a switch mounted on said arm, a switch-actuatingelement affixed to said sensing roller and rotatable therewith, andmeans responsive to said switch for motivating said tape advancingmeans.

4. The label dispensing device of claim 3 including a transverselyextending guide member disposed above said roller to delineate therewitha bite-defining passageway.

5. A label-applying device comprising a swingably supported,longitudinally extending, downwardly forwardly inclined guide armterminating in a transversely extending relatively sharp separatingedge, means for advancing a pressure sensitive label-carrying tapeforwardly along the upper face of said guide arm, around said separatingedge and then rearwardly to separate a leading label and advance itforwardly of said separating edge, a transversely extending sensingroller rotatably supported by said guide arm forward of and adjacentsaid separating edge and including a plurality of transversely spacedcoaxial roller elements rotatable therewith and engageable by thepressure sensitive surface of said tape carriedleading label forward ofsaid separating edge to be rotated by the advance of said label, aplurality of relatively stationary parting fingers supported by saidguide arm and disposed below the upper peripheries of said rollerelements and projecting between the forward peripheries of successiveroller elements, a switch mounted on said guide arm, a switch-actuatingelement afiixed to said sensing roller and rotatable therewith, andmeans responsive to said switch for motivating said tape-advancingmeans.

'6. A label-dispensing device comprising a swingably supported,longitudinally extending, downwardly forwardly inclined guide armterminating in a transverse extending relatively sharp separating edge,means for advancing a pressure sensitive label-carrying tape forwardlyalong the upper face of said arm, around said separating edge and thenrearwardly to separate a leading label and advance it forwardly of saidseparating edge, a transversely extending sensing roller supported bysaid arm with its upper surface forward of said separating edge, aswitch mounted on said arm, a switch-actuating element aflixed to saidsensing roller and rotatable therewith and engageable by the pressuresensitive surface of said tape carried lea-ding label forward of saidseparating edge to be rotated by the advance of said label between anadvanced and a retracted position, spring means normally urging saidswitch-actuating element and said sensing roller to said retractedposition upon disengagement between said sensing roller and saidpressure sensitive surface of said label, and means responsive to saidswitch for motivating said tape-advancing means.

7. The label-dispensing device of claim 6 wherein said switch includes aswingable first actuating arm and said actuating element includes asecond arm projecting radial- 1y relative to said sensing roller andengaging said first arm. n

8. The label-dispensing device of claim 7 including a guide memberdisposed above and parallel to the upper face of said arm anddelineating therewith a passageway directed toward said bite.

9. A label-dispensing device comprising a swingably supported,longitudinally extending, downwardly forwardly inclined guide armterminating in a transversely extending relatively sharp separatingedge, means for advancing a pressure sensitive label-carrying tapeforwardly along the upper face of said arm, around said separating edgeand then rearwardly to separate a leading label and advance it forwardlyof said separating edge, a bracket supported adjacent the leading end ofsaid guide arm for swinging about a transverse axis between an operativeand an inoperative position, a transversely extending guide platecarried by said bracket and swingable therewith between an operativeposition closely spaced from the top face of said guide arm to delineatea passageway therewith and an inoperative position providing access tothe leading upper face of said guide arm, a transversely extendingrotatable sensing roller carried by said bracket and swingable therewithbetween an operative position with its upper periphery forward of saidseparating edge and engageable by the pressure sensitive surface of saidtape carried leading label forward of said separating edge to be rotatedby the advance of said label, a switch mounted on said guide arm, aswitch-actuating therewith, and means responsive to said switch formotivating said tape-advancing means.

10. The label-dispensing device of claim 9, wherein said guide plateprojects forwardly across the upper periphery of said sensing roller.

11. The label-dispensing device of claim 9, wherein said sensing rollercomprises a plurality of axially-spaced roller elements and including aplurality of parting fingers carried by said brackets and projectingbetween said roller elements and terminating below the level of theupper peripheries thereof.

12. The label-dispensing device of claim 11, wherein said fingersproject rearwardly of said sensing roller below the underface of saidguide arm when said bracket is in said operative position.

13. The labeldispensing device of claim 9 including a transverselyextending pressure roller supported by said bracket forward of saidsensing roller.

14. The label-dispensing device of claim 13, including a pair oftransversely-spaced forwardly projecting arms swingably supported onsaid bracket, said pressure roller being mounted between the free endsof said arms, and spring means urging said arms and said pressure rollerto a depressed operative position.

15. The label-dispensing device of claim 9, including means forreleasably locking said bracket in said operative position.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,029,979 4/1962Freeland 221-73 X 3,033,417 5/1962 Van Meer 221-13 3,039,516 6/1962Vinal 156-361 3,186,589 6/1965 West et al 221-13 3,238,080 4/1966Schluter 156-351 EARL M. BERGERT, Primary Examiner.

T. R. SAVOIE, Assistant Examiner,

1. AN APPARATUS FOR DISPENSING PRESSURE-SENSITIVE LABELS FROM A BANDCARYING SAID LABELS COMPRISING A GUIDE ARM HAVING A TRANSVERSELYEXTENDING LEADING SEPARATING EDGE, INTERMITTENTLY MOTIVATED MEANS FORLONGITUDINALLY ADVANCING A LABEL CARRYING BAND IN A PREDETERMINED PATHALONG SAID ARM AND AROUND SAID SEPARATING EDGE TO SEPASEPARATING EDGE,MEANS INCLUDING A ROTATABLE SWITCH FOR CONTROLLING SAID BAND ADVANCINGMEANS, AND A SWITCHMOTIVATING LABEL-SENSING ELEMENT DISPOSED PROXIMATETO AND FORWARDLY OF SAID LEADING SEPARATING EDGE FOR ENGAGING A PRESSURESENSITIVE SURFACE OF A LEADING LABEL FORWARD OF SAID SEPARATING EDGE FORROTATION OF SAID ELEMENT WITH THE ADVANCE OF SAID LEADING LABEL.